Truth or Dare: The Imperial Court

[madame_de_fer]

WHO: Select Orlesian and Fereldan Nobility and the Inquisition
WHAT: Josephine and Vivienne have orchestrated a good-will soiree in response to this dastardly rumor.
WHEN: Drakonis 15, Evening
WHERE: Skyhold Great Hall
NOTES:
- A list of nobles in attendance can be found here. The list was provided by the mods but there will be no npc support for them. Play away.
- A secondary outside party is being held in the valley in the tent town for anyone who couldn't/wouldn't attend and/or behave in the fancy pansty party.
- The goal of the evening is to clear up a spurious rumor about Cassandra and Leliana, with secondary goals of establishing the Inquisition as a respectable presence in Thedas (and fish for more money). Any major disruptions that would Game Over the court approval should probably be brought to the advisors and/or mods.



To say that Josphine has far outdone herself with this little soiree would be the understatement of the year. The Lady Ambassador has pulled out all the stops in providing a festive and yet elegant stage for this political intervention. Because sometimes gossip can be more deadly than a sword.

The Great Hall of Skyhold has been converted into a grand receiving hall, glittering with hundreds of lights around the room, in addition to the repairs accomplished to the original chandeliers. Of course, there has been artful placement arranged so there are a few shadowy corners for rendezvous of the more suggestive nature. Just in case. The majority of the floor has been cleared for dancing, and a fine troupe of musicians have been installed for the bulk of the evening's entertainments. Some members of the Inquisition have plans to entice attendees with their own artistic performances in addition to the group of mages performing illusory tricks to oohs and aahs.

For those who feel their energy flagging, there are chairs set against the walls, with a few tables interspersed between. Servers hired for the evening circulate the crowds with wine, fine Orlesian and Nevarran reds as well as crisp whites from Antiva. Refreshments are set out on buffet tables, tasteful and extravagant nibbles, including imported cheeses, spicy saucisson, dried fruits and nuts, and the highly sought after deep mushroom and anise petits fours that are all the rage in Orlais.

Comments

[wontforgetyou]

He could understand that, but it didn't make it any easier - and when she looked down at her fingers like that, he reached out a hand to lay on her arm, if she let him. It wasn't much, but maybe it would help at least somewhat.

"I know. Look, I daresay that it's got to be something that they're thinking of at this point, now that they've an idea of what's been going on there. We'll get back there."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Of course she did - Bethany had never been someone to shy away from touch. She gave him a quiet smile, and covered his hand with her own briefly, before she set her shoulders.

"Maker, I hope so. Otherwise there's going to be an army of Wardens here and I don't know what they will be -- but they will not be my brothers and sisters of the Grey. More importantly -- I don't want Herc there. We may have gotten Erimond ... but it doesn't seem right."

[wontforgetyou]

"You're right, it doesn't."

There was a lot about Herc being captured that didn't sit right with him, and if it wasn't sitting right with him, he could only imagine what it was like for the other Wardens. Until they were able to get out there, however, there wasn't much they could do. With luck that'd change sooner rather than later, and when it did...well, there might not be a lot he could do by himself, but if the others would have him, maybe they could make some sort of a difference.

"Listen, though - when they do sort out what's going on, if I can help, I will. Just let me know, aye?"

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany looks up at him, her brown eyes warming before she leans forward and kisses his cheek warmly. "You're a good man, Jamie McCrimmon -- and we would be proud to have you fighting with us, whenever and whatever. So when we go to find Herc, you bet your damned boots you're coming with us."

[wontforgetyou]

The kiss to his cheek brings out a slightly lopsided smile from him, something that turns even more pleased at the compliment.

"Aye, well, it's the right thing to do." Not that he'll complain if he gets him more cheek kisses, but the least he can do is go along with them to get Herc back once they get there. "And I'll be glad to fight by your side when it happens. Think we've a sorry-thing to get through first, though."

It's supposed to be 'soiree', but that's one of those words he doesn't usually use, and while he's got a better grasp on what the word means than some of the others that have turned up, he's still prone to coming up with his own pronunciations for that sort of thing, and doesn't even think twice when it happens.

"Anything in particular you want to do?"

[sunshinethroughgrey]

She smiles at him, giving his arm another squeeze before she tilts her head at him. "You know, I think it would mean the world to him to know that we were all fighting so hard to help him."

She sighed, "Now we just in an army to back us up - and a plan - and off we go." She paused, then laughed, "You mean the fancy party? Yes -- and I plan to make myself known there. Better way to drum up support right there."

[wontforgetyou]

"Fancy party" is probably the easier phrase to use, all things considered, and there's a quick bob of his head in agreement because of it.

"Aye, that's the one." Drumming up support seems like a good plan to him, though, and his eyes flick out to the room in general, looking about at the party-goers a little thoughtfully. "Talking to people is a good idea, though. Tell you what - I'm going to head out and see if I can hear anything that sounds promising, and if so I'll come back and let you know about it so you can get that support. Sound alright to you?"

[sunshinethroughgrey]

She gives him a warm smile, and a squeeze on the arm. "Thank you again, Jamie. I'll keep an ear to the ground myself, and let you know if I find anything in kind."